April 5, 2021 Chair of the Board of Supervisors Lynda Hopkins is accusing Sheriff Mark Essick of harassment and bullying. Supervisor Hopkins alleged the incident occurred last August during a phone call in the midst of the Walbridge Fire. She tells the Press Democrat she asked the Sheriff questions regarding her constituents accessing their animals in the evacuation zones when she was met with hostility and what she felt was a threat. An investigation has been conducted by County counsel but Sheriff Essick has sued to keep its results private claiming he’s protected by the same laws giving privacy to most misconduct investigations into peace officers. A temporary restraining order has been placed forbidding the release of the investigation’s findings until a court hears the case.